Rules on foreigners’ religious acts aim to prohibit extremism

Chinese authorities are soliciting public opinion on a new version of regulations on the religious activities of foreigners within China’s territory, in which it highlights that foreigners should not advocate religious extremism, support or fund illegal religious activities, use religions to undermine China’s unity and ethnic solidarity, or conduct terrorist activities.

The notice to solicit public opinion for the rules was initially released by the Ministry of Justice on its website on Wednesday and the deadline to comment is December 17.

Among the articles, Article 21 has drawn public attention as it lists activities that foreigners should not conduct within China, including advocating extremist religious thoughts; supporting or funding illegal or extremist activities; using religion to destroy China’s national unity or ethnic solidarity, or using religion to conduct terrorist activities.

Zhu Weiqun, former head of the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, said that the detailed regulations could help prohibit some forces from infiltrating into China under the guise of religion for terrorist or separatist activities.

“The latest version of the rules is more detailed and comprehensive. It also shows China’s swift response to the growing global challenge – the threat of religious extremism to political stability, and the social panic and disorder caused by religious extremism,” said a Beijing- based expert on religious research who asked for anonymity.

Some European countries, especially France, have suffered from terrorist attacks committed by religious extremists in recent months.